New crossing over the Demerara River in progress

By Romila Boodram, January 12, 2013, By KNews, Filed Under News, -- Source

 “A lot of proposals are with us but we are looking for more…then we will be making a decision on what kind of model can be used,” the President

The government has received a number of proposals for the construction of a new crossing across the Demerara River but according to President Donald Ramotar, the tender is still open for more.

The President made this announcement yesterday at a press conference at Office of the President.

President Donald Ramotar

In July, a temporary pontoon sank after breaking loose from the bridge, causing parts of the structure to collapse. The bridge was closed for three days, leaving hundreds of commuters and vehicles stranded on both sides of the river.

The three-day chaos at the 34-year-old structure had apparently forced government to embark on studies for an alternative since the bridge has already passed its initial life span.

Yesterday, the President announced that after all the proposals are received and viewed, a decision on the model will be made.

“A lot of proposals are with us but we are looking for more…then we will be making a decision on what kind of model can be used,” the President said.
He also added that the construction of the new crossing across the Demerara River is an important project that the government will work on, especially with the increasing volume of traffic which in recent years has been proving a headache for the policy makers.

The new crossing will not replace the Demerara Harbour Bridge which was commissioned in 1978. It will instead, support it.

President Ramotar also announced that the Ministry of Public Works will soon be working on a plan as it relates to transporting late workers and school children.

The 34-year-old structure which collapsed in July last.

“I am very much aware of some of the difficulties that people have with transportation… I have asked the Minister of Transport to come up with a plan to deal with the situation as it relates to dealing with people,” the President said.